Health Information

Vision Problems: Living With Poor Eyesight

Introduction

You don't see as well as you used to. Eye problems such as age-related macular degeneration
(AMD), glaucoma, cataracts, or diabetic retinopathy may be making it hard to work and manage many of your daily activities. But don't give up. There are lots of things you can do to adapt to low vision and make your life easier and
safer.

You can adapt your home by making changes to lighting, using contrast in objects that you use
often and in structures such as door frames and light switches, labeling and
marking medicines and food, and getting rid of potential hazards.

If you wear glasses, keeping your lens prescription current can help you adapt to your vision problems.

Visual aids and adaptive technologies can help you work, communicate, and
travel. These include magnifying lenses,
special video cameras to enlarge pictures or print, large-print books and
newspapers, and adaptive appliances.

Counseling, rehabilitation, and training can help you with
managing your household, cooking, shopping, personal grooming, and other
aspects of daily home and work life.

If your low vision prevents you from driving, you can explore other ways to get around, such as riding with family and friends, using public transportation, or taking taxis. You can also see if your area offers low-cost bus or taxi service for people who have low vision.

Building a personal support network can help you
keep or improve your quality of life and cope with your vision problems.

To keep doing the things you enjoy, you
will want to make a few changes to your lifestyle. The changes you need to make
depend on how much vision you have lost, what kinds of activities you like to
do, and your current lifestyle. Making changes may seem difficult and time-consuming, but be patient. You can keep your independence and continue the activities you
enjoy.

How can I adapt to my poor eyesight?

Some simple
changes can help you use your remaining vision to its full potential and allow
you to live as independently as possible. Here are some keys to success.

Making changes at home

Make simple changes

Make a list(What is a PDF document?) of things you have trouble doing.

Make simple accommodations at home that will help you manage
your household chores and care for your personal needs.

Use
low-vision aids and adaptive technology, such as lenses and other devices, to
enhance your remaining vision.

These are a few ideas on how to make living with low
vision easier and safer. For more ideas, see a low-vision rehabilitation specialist.

Use lighting

Position lighting so that it is aimed at what
you want to see, and aimed away from your eyes.

Add table and floor lamps
in areas where extra lighting is often needed.

Use window
coverings that let you adjust the level of natural
lighting.

Make sure that potentially hazardous areas such as entries and
stairways are well lit.

Use contrast

Contrast helps your eyes to distinguish objects and their surroundings based on differences in
brightness or color, rather than shape or location. If you have low vision, you
may need more light to be able to distinguish objects with similar brightness
or color (low contrast).

Place light objects against a dark background
or dark objects against a light background. For example, if you have white or
light-colored walls, use dark switch plates for your light
switches. Or use lighted switches that glow softly. They are easier to
identify.

You can also use paint in a contrasting color to mark
electrical outlets, oven dials, thermostats, and other items. This will make the items
easier to find and use.

Paint door frames in a contrasting color. For example, if the door is light, paint the frame with a dark color. Use dark doorknobs on
light-colored doors.

In your bathroom, use contrasting color for
items such as cups, soap dishes, and even the soap.

Label and mark

Use high contrast when you make labels, signs, and other markings.
For example, use bold black
lettering on a white background. Post signs at eye level. Use colored, high-contrast labels to "color
code" medicines, spices, foods, and other items.

Label any medicines you take so that they
are easily and clearly identified. You can also wrap rubber bands around each of your medicine bottles. Use a different amount of bands for each medicine, and keep track of the number of bands on each medicine type. Then, feel for the number of bands when you need to take a certain medicine.

Mark the positions
of the temperature settings you use most frequently on your stove and oven
controls, as well as the "on" and "off" positions.

In the kitchen and bathroom, mark the settings for the
faucets that provide the right water temperature. To prevent overfilling a sink
or bathtub, mark the water level you want with a strip of waterproof tape or a
waterproof marker.

Mark the areas around stairways and ramps with paint or tape. A high-contrast color such as dark tape on light
carpeting works best.

Attach a safety pin to the labels of clothes that have similar colors.

Avoid potential hazards

Replace or remove any worn carpeting or floor
coverings. If you use throw rugs or area rugs, tape them down or remove
them.

Remove electrical cords from areas where you need to walk.
If this isn't possible, tape them down so you won't trip over
them.

Arrange your furniture so that it doesn't stick out into
areas where you need to walk. Keep chairs pushed in under tables and desks when they are not being used. Keep desk, cabinet, and bureau drawers closed.

Keep doors either fully opened or fully closed, but not halfway.
If doors stick out into a room or hallway, keep them closed.

Make sure
the handrails on stairways and ramps extend beyond the top and bottom steps. People often stumble when they miss a step at the top or bottom of an
incline. Consider installing handrails in other potentially hazardous
areas.

Using visual aids and other adaptive technologies

Learning to use low-vision aids and adaptive technologies may help you make the best use of your remaining vision.

Low-vision aids

Low-vision aids are special lenses
or electronic systems that make images appear larger, such as:

Magnifying lenses. These may range from simple
handheld lenses for reading to special eyeglasses or magnifiers much like the
lenses that jewelers use. Some lenses have a built-in light for
better illumination. And some are mounted on stands so your hands are free. For
distance vision, small handheld telescopes or lenses that clip onto your
eyeglasses may be used.

Video enlargement systems. These are electronic
systems that can be used to send an enlarged image of print, pictures, or other
items onto a screen where it is easier for you to see. Examples include a closed-circuit television camera (CCTV) or video camera.
These systems can also
sometimes adjust brightness and contrast to make the enlarged image easier to
see. Some video systems have both the camera and screens built into a
head-mounted device that looks like a pair of large goggles. This allows a person
to move around while using them.

Computer display and enlargement systems. Large
screens and software that enlarge print, pictures, and other visual information
are available. Computers also allow you to alter brightness, contrast, color,
and other parts of the display. This can make it easier to see what is on the screen.
Computers are sometimes used with video enlargement systems.

Diabetes aids

If your low vision is caused by diabetes, some aids that may help you include:

Needle guides and other devices. They can help you locate and stick the needle through the rubber stopper on your insulin bottle and help you prepare mixed- or single-dose insulin injections. There are also bottle-holding devices that help you hold the bottle and syringe to safely withdraw insulin. There are devices to help you draw the same amount of insulin every time. Insulin pens that show the units by clicking or have large-print markings can be used to give insulin that comes in a cartridge. Other needle aids help you inject insulin with pens or syringes.

"Talking" or large-print home blood sugar meters. A large-print meter can help you see your blood sugar result clearly. There are also some "talking" meters.

"Talking" or large-print food scales. If you need to weigh your food, there are large-print or talking food scales. You can also estimate portion sizes by other means. For example, you can use your hand to judge portion sizes.

Computerized blood sugar records. Most home blood sugar meter companies have computer software that allows your blood sugar results to be entered directly into a computer. Then you don't have to keep handwritten records. You can also print these in large print so that you can read the records.

Tape recorder for record keeping. You can speak your daily blood sugar results and other information directly into a tape recorder.

Adaptive technology

Adaptive technology is used in
devices or products that may not help you see better but can make
life easier and safer. Many are designed to help you perform common tasks that
may be harder when you have impaired vision. Examples include:

Large-print items. Books, newspapers, magazines,
medicine labels, bank checks, and playing cards are often available in large
print. Many people with low vision also use audio versions of books and other
printed materials.

Special papers and writing aids. These may be
something as simple as paper with extra-bold lines that help you write
information on checks in the proper spaces.

Adaptive appliances. These are common household
items that have been adapted for use by people with low vision. Examples are
clocks and watches with electronic voices that announce the time. Or you can find clocks,
telephones, and home appliances with extra-large buttons and numerals that can be
seen more easily.

Optical character recognition (OCR) software. OCR systems allow you to scan documents and convert them into
computer text. Then the text can be enlarged for display or read aloud by a speech
synthesis program.

Some of these measures are easy to build into your
life. Others require big changes in the way that you do things at home,
at work, or elsewhere. Some measures, such as computer programs or electronic systems, can be costly or may take time to learn
to use properly. You will need to decide which ones will work best for you. If
you are legally blind, you may be able to get help through your state's
Commission for the Blind.

Staying active

It's important to stay active for your health. But first ask your doctor what physical activities are safe for you to do. If you bend, lift things, or move fast, it may affect your health or vision. After you know whether or not you need to avoid any activities, find some things that you like to do and make them as safe as possible. For example:

Ask a friend to read you the instructions for a new exercise and to check your
technique.

Walk with someone who can help look for things that may be a danger.

If you swim laps, use a pool that has ropes between the lanes.

Getting around

Having low vision can lead to losing your ability to drive. It's hard to give up the convenience of going where you want whenever you want. But you don't have to be homebound. You have options for getting around safely.

Ask your family and friends for help. If asking for help is hard for you, you could offer to pay for their time or gas to take you on errands.

Use public transportation. Check with your local transit company for schedules. Also see if your area has paratransit services that can take you door-to-door where you need to go.

Think about using taxis. It may sound expensive. But don't forget that it also costs a lot to own a car, buy gas, and pay for insurance and maintenance.

Ask your eye doctor or counselor about organizations in your community that offer low-cost alternative transportation.

Getting support

There are many resources to help you meet the
challenges of living with reduced vision and keep your quality of
life.

Seek counseling, rehabilitation, and training

Look for low-vision specialists and groups and agencies that offer counseling,
training, and other special services related to vision loss.
Low-vision rehabilitation specialists can give you detailed practical
information and training on managing your household and other activities of
daily life that can be more challenging when you have low vision. These
specialists can also help you find ways to cope with low vision in the
workplace. Specialists may include:

Rehabilitation counselors and teachers who
can address specific needs.

Occupational therapists.

Orientation and mobility specialists.

Low-vision
specialists.

Experts in technology adapted for people with visual
impairment.

Professional counselors. They can offer guidance and
support in dealing with the emotional and psychological effects of living with
impaired vision.

Build your personal support network

There are
many resources available to help you overcome the challenges of living with low
vision, to make the best use of the vision you do have, and to keep your
quality of life. Your family and friends, as well as your health care and social
services professionals, can help you.

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How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.